London: BBC London has released an audio story honoring the late Jaswant Singh Gill, an alumnus of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, for his remarkable role in the 1989 Raniganj mine rescue. The release coincides with the 35th anniversary of the heroic rescue operation in which 65 miners trapped in a flooded mine were saved. The audio story, part of BBC’s “Witness History” series, features a conversation between BBC’s Rachel Nylor and Sarpreet Singh, the son of Jaswant Singh Gill.
In 1989, Jaswant Singh Gill, a Mining Engineering graduate from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, was posted at the Mahabir Colliery in Raniganj when disaster struck. A rupture in a colliery wall caused water from adjacent areas to flood the mine, trapping 64 miners deep underground. Gill, showing extraordinary courage and resourcefulness, fabricated a 2.5-meter steel capsule on the spot. This capsule was then drilled into the mine, allowing Gill to enter the flooded area repeatedly and bring each trapped miner to safety. His efforts ultimately saved all 64 miners.
For his bravery, Jaswant Singh Gill was awarded the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak by the then-President of India, R. Venkataraman, in 1991.
The BBC’s audio story, based on the conversation with Sarpreet Singh, highlights the gravity of the rescue operation and the heroism displayed by Gill. The story is part of BBC’s ongoing “Witness History” series, which commemorates significant moments in history through first-hand accounts.
Gill’s courageous act was also portrayed in the 2023 Bollywood film Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue, starring Akshay Kumar, which dramatizes the life-saving rescue operation. The film brought national attention to Gill’s valor, and Coal India recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions.
In a special online interaction held in September 2023, IIT (ISM) students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to engage with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who portrayed Jaswant Singh Gill in the film. During the session, Kumar, who joined from London, answered questions from students and expressed his desire to visit IIT (ISM). The event was attended by Professor J.K. Pattanayak, then Director of IIT (ISM), along with other faculty members, who expressed their appreciation for the movie and its portrayal of the late alumnus’s heroic efforts.
The release of the BBC audio story and the film Mission Raniganj has brought renewed recognition to the extraordinary bravery of Late Jaswant Singh Gill, whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.
